Thursdays starting March 11 

Eucharist. The Holy Mass. For “cradle Catholics,” this is often a sacrament they’ve participated in nearly every week of their lives—for some, every day. For non-Catholics, it is a foreign rite that many are cautious to approach. In both groups there is likely a varied understanding of the Eucharist and what the Church teaches about this sacrament, described as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” While the information may be new to some and a refresher for others, important questions lead us all to discovery and clarity. For example: How do we respond to the Eucharist? How do we react to the idea that the Mass is the most dynamic and powerful sacrifice in all of human history? How do we respond to the Church’s teaching that it is a profound encounter with the life of the Trinity, imparting grace and strength to us and changing us from within? What does it mean when we claim that, in the Mass, the Paschal mystery— Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—is made present? Do we experience the reality that Jesus Christ is truly present in every Eucharist that has ever been, is, or ever will be celebrated? Do we believe that Jesus is longing to be united with us in this most blessed sacrament? Over the course of this study, Dr. Brant Pitre will take us back to the biblical roots of the Eucharist. Together we’ll see how this sacrament is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture. We’ll explore its origins, its foreshadowing in the many mysterious and miraculous events of the Old Testament and gospels, and the essential purpose and reality of Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper. In the end, we’ll examine how the Eucharist is not just a something, but rather Someone with whom we are meant to be in communion.  Church calls the Eucharist the “source and summit of the Christian life.”Eucharist. The Holy Mass.

An Overview of Lectio Divina:
Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of enhancing one’s prayer life through the power of God’s Word. The term itself means “divine reading” of the Sacred Scriptures. It is our hope that by using these simple steps each day as they study Sacred Scripture in LECTIO, participants will develop an effective way to study and pray with God’s Word and hear God’s voice in their daily lives.
• Sacred Reading of the Scriptures (lectio): The reading and rereading of the Scripture passage, with close attention to words, details, themes, and patterns that speak to you.
• Meditation (meditatio): Meditating or reflecting on what you’ve read to gain understanding. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you spend time pondering what you have read and striving to understand it in meditation.
• Prayer (oratio): A time to bring your meditative thoughts to God in prayer. Talk with God about how the connections and implications of your meditation on the Scripture affect your life and the lives of those around you.

• Contemplation (contemplatio): A time of quiet and rest, we listen and await God’s voice. Contemplation allows one to enter decisively and more deeply into the Mystery of God—this is no small endeavor, so be patient as you engage this step and strive to be receptive to God’s voice speaking into your life.
• Resolution (resolutio): A call for resolution and action, inviting you to respond to the things you have read in Scripture and have prayed about and to put them into practice. To learn more about lectio divina, refer to Dr. Tim Gray’s Lectio: Prayer study, available at www.augustineinstitute.org

If you have any questions feel free to call Anna Maria at the Church Office.